Best dog food for a Labrador
Labradors are active, sturdily built dogs with a well-earned reputation for being food-motivated, which makes portion control at least as important as the food itself. The right choice depends on how active your dog actually is day to day, not just their size on paper.
Why energy needs vary so much in this breed
Working and field-line Labradors have genuinely different energy needs from the more relaxed pet-line Labradors many owners keep as companions, even though they look broadly similar on the outside. Matching the food's calorie density to actual activity, rather than to the breed name alone, matters far more here than for many other breeds.
Overfeeding a low-activity Labrador the same amount or the same energy-dense food as a working dog would need is a common and avoidable contributor to the breed's well-known weight problems.
The appetite factor
Labradors are known for a particularly strong drive to eat, and some carry a genetic trait, common in the breed, that affects how readily they feel full after a meal. This is part of why the breed is so notoriously food-motivated and so prone to gaining weight if portions aren't watched.
Slow feeders and puzzle feeders are genuinely useful here, since they help manage the pace of a fast, enthusiastic eater and make it easier to stick to a sensible portion rather than a Labrador simply finishing whatever is put down instantly.
Joint support as they age
As a larger, active breed, Labradors are commonly affected by wear on the hip and elbow joints over a working life, particularly if they have carried extra weight for any length of time. A food or supplement aimed at joint support becomes more relevant from middle age onward.
Keeping a Labrador lean throughout adulthood is one of the most protective things an owner can do for their joints later in life, which loops back to the same portion-control point as the appetite section above.
What we stock
Our dry food range covers complete diets across life stages, and our working-dog-food range suits a more active Labrador with genuinely higher energy needs. Our joint-care range is worth a look from middle age onward, particularly for a dog who has spent years at a working pace.
The grid above reflects what we currently have in stock rather than a fixed list, so availability can shift as our range does. Comparing a couple of recipes side by side against your dog's actual activity level is a better approach than picking on the label alone.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Common questions
- Why are Labradors so prone to being overweight?
- A combination of a strong food drive, some carry a genetic trait that affects how full they feel after eating, and being a breed that many owners find hard to say no to. Portion control and resisting extra treats matter more for this breed than most.
- Do working Labradors need a different food from pet Labradors?
- Often yes, since a working or field-line dog burning far more energy day to day needs a more calorie-dense food than a lower-activity pet Labrador, who is more likely to need a standard or even a light recipe to stay lean.
- Is a large-breed food necessary for a Labrador?
- As a puppy, a large-breed puppy formula can help manage growth rate appropriately for their eventual size. As an adult, the more important factor is matching the food to their actual activity level rather than the large-breed label alone.
- Should I use a slow feeder for my Labrador?
- Many owners find it helpful, since Labradors are often fast, enthusiastic eaters. A slow feeder or puzzle feeder can help manage the pace of a meal and make portion control easier to stick to over time.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.